Candlelit vigil to be held in efforts to retain Father Paddy Dunne

A candlelit vigil is being held in the Kilmacrenan Chapel car park in an effort by parishioners to keep Father Paddy Dunne in their parish. 

In a statement released on Monday, the Bishop’s office outlined a number of changes which included the retirement of Very Rev Cathal Ó Fearrai, Kilbarron, Ballyshannon with Kilmacrenan's Fr Paddy Dunne to replace him. The move was to become effective from June 24. 

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The move led to parishioners setting up an online petition to keep their beloved priest, Father Dunne in Kilmacrenan. Hundreds of people have signed the petition, to date.  

A parishioner who is part of the campaign, Susan Shields says that Father Dunne was a beacon of hope during dark times. Posting to social media, she said: "Today is a sad day for us all, we have learned that plans have been put in place to move our beloved priest, he has been the heart and soul of our parish. Always there and always supporting his parishioners, this man has done fantastic work for the people, he filled the chapel every week. This parish has had a very tough time in the past and Father Paddy Dunne shone a light when it was desperately needed, we as a community need to send a very clear message."

This week, the Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian said he understands the pain of the parishioners in Kilmacrenan who are set to lose a popular priest.

Speaking on Highland Radio, he said: "I know from the position I am in how painful it is for a community to lose a much-loved priest and indeed painful for priests to move on and in many ways the outpouring of sadness that we are hearing, it's a tribute to both to the priest and, in other cases many other priests, and to the people and the relationship they have built up." 

Bishop McGuckian said that priests give their heart and soul in their parishes they must move on and it is not an easy task for either the priest or the community. 

The candlelit vigil takes place this Friday at 9pm. Candles will be provided.